^1^*73.40  3~ 


STltr  H 

liamt  HuUrtin 

Series  VII  OCTOBER,  1908  Number  5 

February  17,  1809  June  12-17,  1909 

The  Miami  Centennial 


Appropriate  Ceremonies 
Commemorating 

The  One -Hundredth  Anniversary 

Of  the  Institution  of  the 

Miami  University,  Oxford,  Ohio 

will  be  held  throughout  the 

Annual  Commencement  Season 

of  the  University 

June  12-17,  1909 

A general  invitation  is  cordially  extended  to  all  Alumni,  Former  Stu- 
dents, and  Friends  of  the  University,  who  are  urged  to  acquaint 
themselves  thoroughly  with  the  contents  of  this  and 
succeeding  announcements 


Published  Monthly  by  Miami  University 
And  entered  at  Postoffice , Oxford , Ohio,  as  Second  Class  Mail  Matter 


PROPOSED  PROGRAM 


Saturday,  - June  12 

7:30  P.  M.—  Students’  Night. 

Historical  Pageants;  Torchlight  Parade;  Cam- 
pus Concert. 

Sunday,  - June  13 

10:00  A.  M.— Baccalaureate  Sermon. 

7:30  P.  M. — Annual  Sermon  before  Christian  Associations. 

Monday,  - June  14 

2:30  P.  M. — Annual  Gold  Medal  Oratorical  Contest. 

4:00  P.  M.— Reunion  of  Normal  College  Alumnae. 

7:30  P.  M.— Class  Day  Program  and  Play,  Ohio  State 
Normal  College. 

Tuesday,  - June  15 

2:30  P.  M. — Commencement  Exercises,  Ohio  State  Normal 
College. 

4:00  P.  M. — Class  Day  Program,  College  of  Liberal  Arts. 
G:30  P.  M.  -Campus  Concert. 

7:30  P.  M. — Senior  Class  Play,  College  of  Liberal  Arts. 


PROPOSED  PROGRAM 


Wednesday,  - June  16 

9:00  A.  M. — Centennial  Ceremonies. 

Academic  Procession;  Centennial  Address ; 
Congratulatory  Addresses  by  Representatives 
of  State  and  National  Governments  and  of 
Colleges  and  Groups  of  Colleges ; Addresses 
by  Ex-presidents  of  the  University ; Respon- 
ses ; Centennial  Ode. 

12:30  P.  M.— Alumni  Dinner. 

Roll  Call  of  Classes;  Business  Session;  Toasts 
by  Representatives  of  each  Administration  of 
the  University. 

5:00  P.  M.—  Class  Reunions. 

7:00  P.  M. — Annual  Address  before  the  Literary  Societies. 

8:30  P.  M. — Reunions  in  the  Literary  Halls. 

9:30  P.  M. — Reunions  of  Greek  Fraternities. 

Thursday,  - June  17 

9:00  A.  M.  —Commencement  Processional. 

9:30  A.  M. — Annual  Commencement  Exercises  of  Miami 
University. 

2:00  P.  M.—  Annual  Reception  by  the  President  of  the 
University. 


THE  CENTENNIAL  SITUATION 


INTRODUCTORY 

The  present  official  seal  of  Miami  University  displays 
prominently  among  the  folds  of  its  realistic  serpents  the  date 
1824.  This  is  correct  enough  in  representing  the  year  when 
the  institution,  under  direction  of  Doctor  Bishop,  its  first  pres- 
ident, was  opened  to  students  of  collegiate  rank.  But  Miami 
University  had  been  a corporate  organization  for  fifteen  years 
before;  and  during  most  of  this  time  the  pioneers  of  the  Mi- 
ami Valley  had  been  hopefully  erecting  their  cabins  about  the 
established  site  of  the  new  College.  It  was,  indeed,  1824  be- 
fore the  first  rude  college  building  was  ready,  and  the  funds 
accruing  from  the  college  township  were  sufficient  to  justify 
the  beginning  of  academic  activity.  But  on  the  seventeenth 
day  of  February,  1809,  an  act  of  the  General  Assembly  of  Ohio 
had  formally  provided  for  the  institution  of  the  Miami  Uni- 
versity. 

During  the  Commencement  season  of  1906,  preliminary 
action  was  taken  regarding  a celebration,  in  June,  1909,  of 
the  one-hundredth  anniversary  of  this  enactment.  In  a short 
time  there  was  constituted  a Joint  Committee  on  Arrange- 
ments, representative  of  the  several  University  interests,  and 
full  power  was  given  it  to  complete  and  execute  the  plans  of 
the  celebration.  The  semi-occasional  meetings  and  discus- 
sions of  the  first  two  years  have  resulted  in  a group  of  projects 
that  give  promise  of  the  largest  and  most  interesting  college 
gathering  ever  held  in  southern  Ohio.  Regular  monthly  ses- 
sions of  the  Committee  will  be  held  during  the  winter  to  per- 
fect these  plans. 


4 


THE  JOINT  COMMITTEE  ON  ARRANGEMENTS 

This  committee  is  at  present  constituted  as  follows : 

A.  H.  Upham,  Oxford,  Ohio,  Chairman. 

B.  S.  Bartlow,  Hamilton,  Ohio,  Secretary. 

Guy  Potter  Benton,  President  of  the  University. 

Trustees — W.  L.  Tobey,  T.  R.  Kumler,  W.  S.  Giffen,  J. 
E.  Morey,  W.  F.  Eltzroth. 

Alumni — C.  H.  Fisk,  Parker  Dickson,  R.  M.  Hughes. 
Faculties — E.  E.  Brandon,  A.  L.  Gates,  J.  E.  Bradford, 
H.  H.  Carter,  B.  M.  Davis. 

Certain  permanent  sub-committees  have  been  appointed : 
Program — Tobey,  Morey,  Hughes,  Gates. 

Publications — Bradford,  Eltzroth,  Fisk,  Giffen. 
Advertising — Upham,  Bartlow,  Tobey,  Dickson. 
Accommodations — Brandon,  Benton,  Kumler,  Davis. 


CLASS  SECRETARIES 

Some  time  ago,  with  this  celebration  in  mind,  Secretary 
Bartlow  conducted  an  election  for  Class  Secretaries  among 
the  Alumni.  These  Secretaries  will  be  held  largely  respon- 
sible for  arousing  enthusiasm  within  class  groups,  for  com- 
pleting the  roll  of  former  students  once  associated  with  their 
classes,  and  for  the  management  of  class  reunions,  luncheons, 
and  the  like.  They  are  urged  to  communicate  freely  with  the 
Committee  on  these  matters.  A list  of  the  Class  Secretaries 
is  here  published  for  the  first  time. 

CLASS  SECRETARIES 

1837  Rev.  Charles  T.  McCaughan,  Winterset,  Iowa. 

1838  John  P.  Reynolds,  4 Washington  Place,  Chicago,  111. 

1840  Rev.  Matthew  M.  Brown,  Golden,  111. 

1841  Dr.  George  L.  Andrew,  La  Porte,  Ind. 

1842  Arnaldo  F.  Pack,  Abriendo  Ave.,  Pueblo,  Colo. 

1844  James  E.  Galloway,  Xenia,  Ohio. 

1845  John  W.  Herron,  Cincinnati,  Ohio. 

1846  Joseph  B.  Leake,  218  Cass  St.,  Chicago,  111. 

1847  Charles  Stewart,  Easton,  Pa. 

1848  Rev.  Samuel  S.  Laws,  Washington,  D.  C. 


5 


1850 

1851 

1852 

1853 

1854 

1855 

1856 

1857 

1858 

1859 

1860 

1861 

1862 

1863 

1864 

1865 

1866 

1867 

1868 

1869 

1870 

1871 

1872 

1873 

18S8 

1889 

1890 

1891 

1892 

1893 

1894 

1895 

1896 

1897 

1898 

1899 

1900 


Andrew  M.  Brooks,  Springfield,  111. 

George  Crane,  Dubuque,  Iowa. 

Rev.  Samuel  T.  Lowrie,  1827  Pine  St.,  Philadelphia,  Pa. 
Rev.  J.  P.  E.  Kumler,  304  Florence  St.,  Washington, 
D.  C. 

David  W.  McClung,  Fern  Bank,  Ohio. 

L.  N.  Bonham,  Oxford,  Ohio. 

Rev.  W.  J.  McSurely,  Oxford,  Ohio. 

Gen.  Ben  P.  Runkle,  Hillsboro,  Ohio. 

James  R.  Patterson,  Oxford,  Ohio. 

Rev.  Daniel  H.  Evans,  Youngstown,  Ohio. 

Walter  S.  Thomas,  Troy,  Ohio. 

Dr.  Stephen  C.  Ayres,  4 W.  7th  St.,  Cincinnati,  Ohio. 
Hiram  D.  Peck,  Atlas  Bank  Bldg.,  Cincinnati,  Ohio. 
Charles  H.  Fisk,  Covington,  Ky. 

Rev.  David  S.  Tappan,  Circleville,  Ohio. 

Clark  B.  Montgomery,  Cincinnati,  Ohio. 

Richard  T.  Durrell,  Merchant’s  Library  Bldg.,  Cincin- 
nati, Ohio. 

George  S.  Bishop,  Oxford,  Ohio. 

Bruce  Paul  Jones,  London,  Ohio. 

Rev.  James  K.  Gibson,  South  Charleston,  Ohio. 

Phillip  N.  Moore,  611  Merchant’s-LaClede  Bldg.,  St. 
Louis,  Mo. 

Henry  B.  McClure,  Carlisle  Building,  Cincinnati,  Ohio. 
Horace  Ankeney,  R.  F.  D.  No.  7,  Xenia,  Ohio. 

Francis  M.  Coppock,  First  National  Bank  Bldg.,  Cin- 
cinnati, Ohio. 

Kearney  Prugh,  1342  R St.,  Washington,  D.  C. 
Orlando  B.  Finch,  Oxford,  Ohio. 

Elmer  B.  Finch,  Oxford,  Ohio. 

Hinckley  Smith,  Hamilton,  Ohio. 

Robert  A.  Hiestand,  Eaton,  Ohio. 

Raymond  M.  Hughes,  Oxford,  Ohio. 

Carl  R.  Greer,  Hamilton,  Ohio. 

William  R.  McDonald,  Wellsville,  Ohio. 

George  M.  Shera,  Oxford,  Ohio. 

Alfred  H.  Upham,  Oxford,  Ohio. 

Emory  L.  Ferris,  35  Wall  St.,  New  York,  N.  Y. 

Lee  O.  Lantis,  N.  High  St.,  Columbus,  Ohio. 

Edward  P.  Pottenger,  Seven  Mile,  Ohio. 

6 


1901  Henry  G.  Frost,  First  National  Bank  Bldg.,  Cincin- 

nati, Ohio. 

1902  Hugh  D.  Schell,  Hamilton,  Ohio. 

1903  Darrell  Joyce,  Hamilton,  Ohio. 

1903  (Normal)  Margaret  E.  Coulter,  Oxford,  Ohio. 

1904  Julia  L.  Bishop,  Hamilton,  Ohio. 

1904  (Normal)  Vida  L.  DeMar,  Carthage,  Ohio. 

1905  Nellie  Overholtz,  Oxford,  Ohio. 

1905  (Normal)  Mary  McSurely,  Oxford,  Ohio. 

1906  Abram  L.  Kaye,  Knoxville,  111. 

1906  (Normal)  Mary  D.  Finch,  Jamestown,  Ohio. 

1907  Omen  K.  Boring,  Oxford,  Ohio. 

1907  (Normal)  Mabel  Briney,  Oxford,  Ohio. 

1908  James  Murray  Sheehan,  Paris,  France. 

1908  (Normal)  Mary  Eleanor  Stork,  Oxford,  Ohio. 


LOCAL  REPRESENTATIVES 

Enthusiasm  grows  by  association.  The  most  thoughtful 
of  men  have  been  known  to  delay  responding  to  Commence- 
ment invitations,  and  to  grow  peevish  afterward  when  accom- 
modations were  bad.  The  necessary  “personal  suggestions” 
are  to  be  provided  for  this  time  by  a chain  of  Local  Represen- 
tatives, one  in  each  community  where  there  are  Miami  men, — 
a sort  of  “Boosters’  Association,”  indeed.  Theirs  is  the  job 
of  talking  Centennial  on  all  occasions,  of  overcoming  apathy, 
circulating  advertising  matter,  and — hardest  of  all — seeing 
that  every  prospective  guest  announces  his  intentions  at  the 
appointed  time.  The  list  follows: 

LOCAL  REPRESENTATIVES 

Cincinnati,  Ohio,  David  H.  Fottenger,  ’73,  Johnson  Bldg. 
Cleveland,  Ohio,  David  E.  Platter,  ’71,  312  Lennox  Building. 
Columbus,  Ohio,  Lee  O.  Lantis,  ’99,  N.  High  St. 

Dayton,  Ohio,  George  R.  Eastman,  ’94. 

Eaton,  Ohio,  Henry  C.  Hiestand,  Ex-’02. 

Hamilton,  Ohio,  J.  Paul  Scudder,  ’02,  Rentschler  Building. 
Hillsboro,  Ohio,  Granville  Barrere,  Ex-’Ol. 

Oxford,  Ohio,  Edward  P.  Robinson.  ’93. 

7 


Indianapolis,  Ind.,  Chas.  D.  M.  Houghton,  Ex-’95,  Indiana 
Pythian  Building. 

Liberty,  Ind.,  Everett  R.  Beard,  '93. 

Chicago,  111.,  W.  K.  Richer,  Ex-’97,  1763  Kenmore  Ave. 

New  York,  N.  Y.,  Walter  C.  Harris,  ’91,  1588  E.  19th  St., 
Brooklyn. 

Washington,  D.  C.,  George  H.  Van  Buren,  ’95,  2111  19th 
St.,  N.  W. 

(This  list  is  subject  to  revision  and  extension.) 


SPECIAL  FEATURES 

The  Centennial  Program,  in  general  outline,  appears  else- 
where in  this  Bulletin.  It  seems  best  to  withhold  the  names 
of  all  speakers  at  this  early  date,  though  many  places  have 
already  been  filled  in  a most  satisfactory  manner.  Practically 
all  of  Miami’s  distinguished  living  alumni  expect  to  be  present, 
and  from  them  the  speakers  are  being  chosen,  making  the 
exercises  distinctively  Miami’s  own. 

The  entire  celebration  extends  over  six  days,  but  the  aim 
has  been  to  concentrate  in  Wednesday  and  Thursday  those 
events  which  appeal  most  to  the  busy  alumnus.  Wednesday 
is  especially  crowded,  but  the  entire  evening  has  been  left  free 
for  the  Literary  Societies  and  Greek  Fraternities,  and  remin- 
iscences may  flow  unchecked  from  8:30  until  sunrise.  The 
ceremonies  of  Wednesday  morning  will  be  an  innovation  for 
Miami.  Representatives  of  the  state  and  national  govern- 
ments and  of  various  colleges  and  groups  of  colleges  through- 
out the  land  will  be  present  with  words  of  greeting  and  con- 
gratulation to  the  century-old  Miami.  The  Alumni  Dinner, 
at  noon,  will  be  the  greatest  thing  of  its  kind  ever  held  in 
Oxford;  limited,  indeed,  only  by  the  floor  space  we  can  find 
for  it.  After-dinner  speeches  will  be  representative  of  the 
various  University  administrations,  and  will  naturally  include 
much  of  tradition  and  anecdote. 

Every  program  during  the  week  will  be  too  valuable  to 
miss,  even  the  one  on  Saturday  night.  Student  spirit  and 
loyalty  will  find  expression  at  this  event,  partly  in  the  form  of 
certain  quaint  historical  pageants  in  appropriate  costume — an 
old  “Burning  of  the  Calculus,”  for  instance.  Excellent  music 

8 


will  characterize  this  and  all  other  of  the  events.  The  Miami 
Glee  Club,  already  widely  famous,  will  sing  frequently 
throughout  the  week,  and  a first-class  concert  band  will  be 
secured  for  most  of  the  time.  A revised  program  for  the  en- 
tire week,  with  complete  list  of  speakers,  will  be  published  in 
May. 


HISTORICAL  COLLECTION 

It  is  proposed  to  use  the  old  Bishop  Chapel,  during  these 
exercises  and  afterward,  as  an  Alumni  Memorial  Hall ; so  that 
it  is  highly  desirable  to  put  on  display  there  all  that  can  be 
collected  of  Miami  antiquities,  or  of  miscellaneous  relics  rep- 
resentative of  early  days  in  the  Miami  Valley.  Some  requests 
have  already  been  circulated  on  this  matter,  but  the  response 
so  far  has  been  anything  but  enthusiastic.  There  is  an  excel- 
lent nucleus  for  such  a collection  already  here.  The  McGuf- 
fey  Table,  the  Bishop  Bust,  the  old  stone  astronomical  pier, 
some  of  Doctor  Stoddard’s  primitive  apparatus,  and  a few 
old-time  straight-backed  chapel  benches,  together  with  our 
collection  of  portraits  and  tablets,  constitute  a first-rate  basis 
for  such  an  undertaking.  There  is  plenty  more  material,  just 
as  valuable  for  our  purposes,  to  which  no  doubt  various  of 
our  friends  have  access.  Please  get  it  into  our  hands,  for  this 
occasion,  at  least,  and  let  us  hear  from  you  at  once  regarding 
it. 

We  are  sadly  deficient  in  Miami  literature.  The  only 
collection  of  old  programs  in  the  archives  is  the  private  prop- 
erty of  the  Bishop  family.  Several  sporadic  college  periodicals 
were  published  during  the  early  years,  and  the  files  of  these 
are  very  incomplete.  The  library  does  not  contain  a copy  of 
The  Miami  Student  published  before  the  reopening  in  1885. 
Early  volumes  of  The  Oxford  Citizen,  if  they  could  be  had, 
would  also  be  of  great  historical  value.  Will  you  not  regard 
this  as  a personal  appeal  to  every  devoted  alumnus  to  assist 
in  these  matters  as  far  as  he  can?  A few  have  already  re- 
sponded, but  the  work  has  hardly  begun. 


CENTENNIAL  PUBLICATIONS 

Several  important  publications  are  under  way,  in  connec- 
tion with  this  Centennial  project.  The  Centennial  Volume  is 

9 


under  the  direction  of  Professor  Bradford  and  certain  of  his 
colleagues.  It  will  contain  an  account  of  the  Centennial  pro- 
ceedings, a concise  historical  sketch  of  the  University,  a dis- 
cussion of  the  development  of  courses  of  study  in  the  institu- 
tion, and  a bibliography,  as  complete  as  possible,  of  all  the 
books  written  by  Miami  men.  The  whole  will  be  handsomely 
illustrated.  Another  book,  perhaps  appealing  more  to  the 
general  reader,  will  develop  the  inner  life-story  of  Old  Miami, 
gathering  and  retelling  the  mass  of  legendary  material  that 
has  grown  up  with  the  student  community.  Another  edition 
of  the  Alumni  and  Former  Student  Catalogue — the  first  in 
ten  years — is  also  under  way  and  destined  to  appear  about 
this  time. 

During  the  spring  a Miami  Song  Book  will  be  published 
for  the  first  time ; not  as  a Centennial  feature,  but  taking  new 
interest  from  this  event.  The  Miami  Student  will  devote 
much  space  to  alumni  material  throughout  the  year,  and  will 
issue  a special  Centennial  number.  The  Recensio,  also,  the 
college  annual,  will  make  a special  feature  of  this  anniversary 
occasion. 


ACCOMMODATIONS 

There  is  every  reason  to  expect  an  immense  crowd  in 
Oxford  during  Centennial  Week.  People  remind  us  of  this 
nowadays  as  if  we  didn’t  enjoy  it.  Still,  the  Committee  feels 
reasonably  confident  of  finding  suitable  accommodations,  at 
fair  prices,  for  all  guests  who  give  us  timely  assurance  of  their 
coming.  Oxford  is  going  to  co-operate  with  us  to  the  last  of 
her  resources.  Oxford  College  and  The  Western  have  kindly 
consented  to  provide  for  as  many  visitors  as  possible.  The 
fraternities  expect  to  lodge  many  of  their  alumni  in  the 
Chapter  houses.  As  a last  resort,  it  would  be  possible,  as  at 
Oberlin  last  spring,  to  transfer  men  from  the  dormitories  to 
tents  on  the  campus,  and  open  these  time-honored  rooms  to 
guests.  Many  visitors  will  be  unable  to  secure  meals  at  their 
places  of  lodging;  but  a competent  caterer  will  be  installed, 
probably  in  the  Gymnasium,  who  will  furnish  excellent  meals 
at  nominal  rates  throughout  the  week.  If  necessary,  branch 
dining  and  lunch  rooms  may  be  established  in  the  village. 
Application  blanks — for  accommodations  and  for  tickets  to 

10 


the  various  exercises — will  be  widely  distributed  early  in 
May  ; and  every  prospective  guest  is  urged  to  fill  these  out 
and  return  them  without  delay. 

Reduced  rates  will  be  secured  on  the  railroads  tor  this 
occasion,  and  it  is  hoped  that  several  special  trains  may  be 
run — particularly  on  Wednesday  and  Thursday  mornings. 
This  will  enable  many  who  so  desire  to  take  advantage  of 
hotel  accommodations  in  Hamilton,  and  will  afford  great  con- 
venience to  those  visitors  who  can  attend  for  only  one  day. 

This  ought  to  be  enough  to  set  you  thinking.  Make  up 
your  mind  today  to  shape  business  affairs  in  such  a fashion 
that  you  can  get  away  in  June  for  a glorious  period  of  yam- 
spinning and  youth-renewing  among  the  familiar  haunts  of 
college  days.  Bring  your  family  back  to  enjoy  the  occasion 
with  you.  Meet  old  comrades  and  pay  tribute  to  Alma  Mater. 
In  the  meantime  ponder  and  chat  about  the  celebration.  Con- 
sider carefully  what  you  would  want  it  to  be.  Write  us  about 
it  if  you  have  a criticism  or  suggestion,  or  any  bit  of  precious 
old  tradition  in  need  of  perpetuation.  If  the  sons  and  friends 
of  Old  Miami  work  together  enthusiastically  to  make  these 
festivities  a success,  there  is  no  limit  to  the  possibilities. 


11 


